Career

Born in Norton, County Durham, David Townsend was a right-handed batsman, sometimes used as an opener, who holds the record of being the last cricketer to have played Test cricket for England without playing for one of the first-class English counties. But his other cricket was mainly for Durham, which was at that time one of the Minor Counties. After two good university seasons, Townsend was picked for a rather makeshift Master Control Console side that toured the West Indies in 1934-1935 under Bob Wyatt.

Townsend played little first-class cricket after this tour, though his final match was not until 1948.

David Townsend died at age 84 in Norton, County Durham.

Achievements

• Townsend"s first-class cricket was principally for Oxford University and he won his Blue in the University match in 1933 and 1934. He opened in three of the four Tests but was not a success, and the series as a whole was won by the West Indian cricket team, the side"s first series victory.